When you and your husband had your first child and then every conversation after that was about that child, do you remember saying to your spouse, “What did we talk about before this baby?” Well, that’s how I feel about Project Bugle Boy. When he is in place and we have raised all necessary funds, what am I going to talk about?
This project has been a major undertaking for our small group of volunteers. Several times I’ve thought that maybe we bit off more than we could chew. The total cost of the Bugle Boy was $22,651 but because of the diligent efforts of Town Talk volunteers and the support of our alums, many community members, AVEM and the American Legion and Auxiliary we have raised a grand total of $17,000.00. Even though I think that’s amazing, we still need your help. We have an outstanding balance of $5651.00 and it needs to be paid before the statue is delivered. We originally thought he would arrive this week from Nelson Monument out of Guthrie but due to scheduling they have informed me they will deliver him to Stroud next week. This Bugle Boy is a 6-foot granite hand carved statue that will sit on a 2-foot base. He will stand in Ed. Smalley Centennial Park overlooking our Veteran’s Memorial. It will be one-of-a-kind in Oklahoma and something which we as a community can be proud. When we meet someone new and tell them we’re from Stroud maybe their comment will now be “Isn’t that the small town in Oklahoma that is so patriotic and has that amazing Bugle Boy” instead of “Isn’t that where the mall used to be that the tornado blew away?” I think it’s time for Stroud to have a new mantra.
Thank you to everyone who supported our second “Olive Garden” lasagna luncheon on Sunday. We had a good turnout and a good time was had by all who attended. A big thank you shout-out to Susan Cockrum and Shirley Holik who once again took charge of the kitchen and did a wonderful job.
Their faithful assistant was Julie Bivin, Town Talk volunteer, American Legion Auxiliary member and all-around community volunteer extraordinaire. There is nothing that girl can’t do. Other amazing volunteers were Town Talk/ Auxiliary members Diana McGuire and Aleta Smalley so thank you goes out to these two ladies, too. Auxiliary member Delores Hamlin managed the door for us, collecting tickets and taking money. We couldn’t do it without her so she gets a shout-out, too. Auxiliary member Pam Hunt was on board to volunteer but became ill Sunday morning. She was missed and we wish her a speedy recovery. A special thank you to Pastor James Bond and Youth Pastor Caleb Holzrichter for setting up tables and allowing us to use the Family Life Center. You know what they say, “It takes a village.”
New handicapped parking signs have been placed outside the American Legion Building. The signs were purchased by Steve and Julie Bivin and framed and put in place by David Evans. It’s amazing how even the little things that often go unnoticed make such a big difference in the looks of a building. Thank you to these community volunteers for attending to this detail.
Mom and I attended Parkview Elementary’s Black History Month program last week and it was exceptional. Kelly Brown, Parkview teacher, lead the group in singing and those students did a great job. They were well-behaved and knew the words and motions to each song they performed. It was thrilling but also emotional to hear them sing songs about Martin Luther King’s dreams and to sing about peace, love, kindness and getting along with our fellow man. There’s just something so precious about the voices of young children. Good job to Principal James Wells and all the Parkview teachers for teaching our kiddos not only their ABC’s but about some of the more intrinsic traits we hope they all exhibit.
Activities this week include Chamber of Commerce banquet tonight, Thursday, March 16th at 6:30 p.m. at the Route 66 Coliseum, Stroud Community Clothing Ministry also open today, Thursday, from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. on West Highway 66 and Stroud Community Spring Yard Sale Friday through Sunday, March 17th – 19th.
St. Patrick’s Day is coming up Friday, March 17th. One way we could help our local merchants is to vow to purchase something green on that day. Some ideas to help you out are green paint from True Value, a head of broccoli from Williams Foods, guacamole from Fiesta Cozumel, a salad from Ruby’s, Five Star, The Q or Rock Café or a pair of clover earrings from Unique Market or The Treasure Box. I bet even Bill Ash at Stroud Drug has a green vitamin he could recommend. Whatever you do, just be sure you wear green so you avoid being pinched. This legend comes from the idea that St. Patrick’s revelers thought wearing green made one invisible to leprechauns. These fairy creatures would pinch anyone they could see (those not wearing green). People began pinching those who did not wear green as a reminder that leprechauns would sneak up and pinch green-abstainers.
Have a great week, stay clear of those leprechauns and thank you for all the support you give Town Talk and for shopping local………….. first!